Q. I’ve seen many celebrities such as Jessica Alba and Kate Moss wearing striped sailor tops with jeans and ballet pumps. I think that it’s a really cool look for summer and I’d love to get my hands on a striped top like theirs. What are they called and where can I get one?
A. The top that you are lusting over is a perfect navy and white striped Breton top. I already know what it looks like - an original marinière long-sleeved jersey top, as worn by Coco Chanel when photographed in the lavender-bordered garden of her villa on the Côte d'Azur. Coco Chanel loved a stripe - timeless and elegant, they're such an easy way to transform a casual outfit into something effortlessly chic. Jeans, dresses, skirts, you name it, and throw a stripe top into the mix and it instantly looks good. This look never goes out of fashion and you'll wear it time after time.
Take a look at our high street gallery of high street Breton tops.
Her classic Breton jumper has, since then, been worn by the likes of Kate Moss, Patti Smith, Faye Dunaway and Alexa Chung. Breton-style tops are big this summer and look perfect paired with jeans. Their general appeal is basically that anyone can wear one and look great. They have that classic but cool vibe. The good news is that all of the major stores are doing some version of the Berton top but one of my favourites to be found at New Look at an astonishing €12 (I know, I can hardly believe it). It’s a little longer in length, so can be worn as a dress with leggings and ballet pumps or with a pair of skinny jeans for that off duty celebrity look.
I also adore River Island’s knitted crew neck version as it’s the closest that you are going to get to Madame Chanel’s original piece and with it’s brass buttons and cute pocket detail. Over at Dorothy Perkins the striped white and navy tunic looks fresh and modern, with its ornate shoulder embellishment, and at just 40 euro it’s also a pretty good investment buy. Spend a little more than usual on your Breton top because it’s a wardrobe classic that will never go out of style. In the words of Madame Chanel herself “Fashion fades - style is eternal.”
